Chapter 50 – Invitations Beyond the Horizon
The early morning fog clung to the academy grounds, curling through the trees and across the pitch like tendrils of anticipation. Jota arrived first, boots quietly crunching over the frost-dampened grass. Today felt different; the air was thick with something unspoken, a mixture of expectation and possibility that tugged at the edges of his consciousness.
As he began his warm-up, stretching carefully, Tiago jogged up beside him. "Big day, huh?" he asked, exhaling in the crisp air.
Jota nodded. "Yeah. Something's coming."
Before Tiago could respond, Coach Deschamps appeared from the locker room doorway, holding a sealed envelope. The morning light caught the metallic seal, glinting sharply. Every player instinctively straightened.
"This came for you," Deschamps said, handing the envelope to Jota. "Open it."
